Domaine Cathiard was established in the 1930s when their fruit was sold to local négoçe as was common back in those days. Sylvain’s father André ran the estate from 1969 until 1985 with his son becoming more involved in the latter years. Sylvain began to rent the family’s vines by fermage agreements, before taking over his father’s own vines when Andre retired in 1995. Since late 2000s, Sylvaine’s son Sebastien has joined him at the domaine. Prior to that, Sebastien got training in Chablis, at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte and in New Zealand. His first vintage fully in charge was 2011. During these years he oversaw the construction of a new winery and cellars which were completed in 2008.
The domaine has an impressive array of vineyards centred around Vosne-Romanée, including Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Aux Malconsorts and a prime parcel of Romanée-Saint Vivant. The domaine’s vineyards are famous in Burgundy for their condition due to the hard work invested in them. Sebastien’s philosophy has always been that hard work in the vineyards is the key parameter for making great wines. Once arriving to the domaine, the fruit is completely destemmed after rigorous sorting. Following Sebastien’s belief that less new wood would create more terroir-driven wines, the use of new oak in all Cuvées is being reduced gradually (except for the RSV where 100% new wood is still being employed).
Cathiard’s wines show youthfulness, exceptional energy and purity of fruit along the entire range. The flagship wines are the Romanée st Vivant and Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts which is a wine with a depth of flavor unmatched and exceptional persistence.
This Aligoté white from Cathiard is an extremely rare wine that honestly, we have never seen before until this 2019 vintage. We received a few precious bottles.
The 2016 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers has a precise bouquet, tightly wound at the moment with black cherry, boysenberry and cold stone aromas, much more backward than the Aux Thorey. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, tightly knit and focused, tensile with a precise, quite pointed, sorbet-fresh finish.
From .0476 ha of vines planted 1945 and 1960 which are located mid-slope quite close the Vosne Romanee border. Aged in 50% new oak, 50% 1 yo oak. This is always a wine of great depth and generosity with real density showing from very old vines. Harmonious plush tannins and great mid-palate, this is an outstanding 1er cru Nuits St Georges. Hedonistic Burgundy at its best.
